How to Clean Leather Car Seats

Tenafly drivers love their luxury vehicles and we want to help all of our neighbors maintain their vehicles for years to come. Knowing how to clean leather car seats will help you out in emergencies, and regular cleaning and conditioning will keep everything looking like new.

Find out the best tips and cleaning products for leather seat care with our step-by-step guide, and if you have questions, contact BMW of Tenafly today.

How to Clean Leather Car Seats

Taking care of your BMW 5 Series interior or you’re high-end M Series SAV®? We’ve got you covered.

Find These Supplies:

1. Choose a leather cleaner, some mild leather soap, saddle soap, or make a DIY solution with 1 part white vinegar/2 parts linseed oil solution
2. Microfiber towels
3. A soft-bristled scrub brush

Step by Step Instructions:

1. Review your auto owner’s manual for model-specific instructions for your vehicle.
2. Vacuum the seats to remove all the dirt particles and avoid scratching the leather. Use small attachments or even compressed air to get into the crevices.
3. Spray leather cleaner on the microfiber towel, then carefully wipe the seats to remove surface dirt and oils.
4. Next, spray your leather cleaner onto the seats and gently scrub the surface with the brush.
5. If you have perforated leather seats, spray onto the brush before smearing it onto the seats. (You want to avoid soaking the fabric beneath.)
6. Wipe the seats thoroughly dry with a clean and dry microfiber towel.

More Leather Seat Care Tips

Knowing what not to use is just as important as having the right products on hand. Sharp and rough-bristled cleaning tools can easily scratch your leather and leave a permanent mark. You’ll also want to avoid detergents, alcohol-based cleaners, and other household cleaners.

To protect your leather over the long term, make sure to keep your vehicle out of direct sunlight! It’s never a bad idea to keep a small amount of leather cleaning solution in your glove compartment as you drive through Fort Lee and Westwood.

How to Clean Fabric Car Seats

Locate These Supplies:

1. Cleaning solution spray designed for use on fabric car seats
2. Interior brush with soft or medium stiff bristles
3. Microfiber towels

Instructions:

1. Vacuum your seats to remove all the dirt particles.
2. If you have a pet, you may need to do a second wipe down with a special pet hair removing tool.
3. Open the doors and windows for improved ventilation.
4. Spray the cleaning solution onto the desired area, but avoid over saturating the fabric.
5. Use the scrub brush to gently scrub the cleaning solution into the fabric.
6. As suds begin to appear, wipe them away with the microfiber towel. If the fabric dries before you do this, the dirt will be pulled back into the fibers.
7. Continue steps 4-6 until the area looks good and clean. Then, move on to the next section of seats.
8. Vacuum the seats after cleaning to speed up the drying process. Let the seats dry completely before closing the doors and windows or using the car.

BMW of Tenafly is Your Auto Care Headquarters

Now that you know more about leather seat care, if you live near Cresskill or Closter %% and would rather have your vehicle cleaned by professionals, schedule a service appointment at BMW of Tenafly today. Our friendly service team is always happy to help you. You can also order your DIY car care products from our parts department. Give us a call.